Partner Ilona Antonyan Featured on Russian Television’s On Duty in America

"Changes in the laws of the largest U.S. states are already noticeably changing the rules of the game for people who have suffered injuries. In California, reforms that took effect in 2025 have expanded the rights of injured individuals and made the system more transparent. These changes include extended deadlines for filing claims in complex cases, new rules for lawsuits against government entities, and obligations for insurance companies to review claims more quickly.

Experts note that similar processes are already underway in other states as well. Insurers are facing increased accountability, compensation structures are being reconsidered, and even the approach to fault allocation is being revised. Next year, attorneys expect further changes, including a growing role for class-action lawsuits, new standards for calculating damages, and stronger oversight of the insurance market. All of this could significantly affect how and how much injured individuals are able to recover after an accident.

Joining us live is Ilona Antonyan, an attorney with Antonyan Miranda LLP, a firm specializing in family law, employment law, and personal injury. Thank you for being with us today.

— Hello.
— This is a complex topic. Let’s break it down. Which legal changes this year do you believe are the most important for injured individuals, and why?

— In October, California passed a law—already signed by the governor—that makes it harder for attorneys to open firms in other states and refer cases between states. Right now, major states like California, Florida, and New York are seeing a wave of referendums that, in different ways but systematically, affect three key things for ordinary people: how much money they can realistically recover after an injury, how quickly they must act to avoid losing their rights, and whether an injured person can even find an attorney—especially for complex and expensive cases.

A few years ago, Uber stopped fighting individual accident cases in court and instead decided to change the rules through legislation. Rather than litigating across multiple courts and states, they turned to lobbying and referendums under the banner of consumer protection. They present this to the public as an effort to reduce attorney fees—claiming lawyers would receive, for example, 25% instead of 33% or 40%, depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial. Their goal is to cap attorney fees through legislation. Through lobbying, this issue is expected to be decided by November 2026—whether these caps will be approved or not.

In practice, however, these measures could deprive injured people of compensation, because it will become much harder to find attorneys willing to take on difficult cases. These changes would limit compensation for pain and suffering and restrict attorney fees, discouraging lawyers from taking cases that require them to invest significant upfront costs for experts and case preparation.

— Please continue.

— This situation is similar to MICRA, a law passed about 50 years ago to limit compensation for victims of medical malpractice.

— What mistakes do injured people most often make now because they don’t know about these legal changes? And how can you personally help them?

— The first mistake is speaking directly with insurance companies and explaining what happened. For example, Florida has changed its laws so that if a person is found to be more than 50% at fault, they cannot recover compensation. From what I understand, similar proposals are being considered in California. That’s why it’s critical that if someone is involved in an accident—before knowing whether they are at fault or not—they should not speak with insurance companies first. Insurers always protect their own interests, not yours. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible and avoid covering your pain and suffering.

You should call an attorney who can advise you on what to say and what not to say to insurance companies. An attorney can even be on the call with you when you speak to an insurance adjuster, ensuring the situation is explained correctly. Everything you say can be used against you—even by your own insurance company.

— So the main takeaway is that because laws change so quickly and frequently, the first step should be contacting the right attorney who can help navigate the situation.

— Yes. If you are seriously injured, you need to act quickly. Attorneys can refer you to the right experts and doctors who will provide appropriate treatment. The faster you receive proper medical care, the faster you can document the true cost of your injuries and pursue compensation. In California, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit.

During those two years, it’s essential to properly document your treatment. An attorney can help ensure everything is recorded correctly and submitted on time to maximize compensation. If someone waits until the last minute to file a lawsuit, many attorneys won’t take the case because it hasn’t been properly prepared—there may be no treatment records, no experts, and no medical documentation showing referrals to specialists or the extent of suffering over time. Proper medical documentation is critical to obtaining fair compensation.

— Thank you very much for explaining all of this. Today we were joined by Ilona Antonyan, an attorney with Antonyan Miranda LLP, a firm specializing in family law, employment law, and personal injury. Thank you for being with us."