About Nordanyan Law
Founded in 2014, Nordanyan Law has grown from a small Van Nuys practice into one of California's most trusted workers' compensation and personal injury firms. We have recovered over $150 million for more than 7,500 clients — and we are just getting started.
Our Story
Nordanyan Law was founded by Minas Nordanyan with a simple mission: give injured workers the aggressive, compassionate representation they deserve. Too many workers were being taken advantage of by insurance companies and employers who prioritized profits over people.
From our headquarters in Van Nuys — just steps from the Van Nuys WCAB courthouse — we have built a team of attorneys who share that mission. We handle every case as if it were going to trial, because insurance companies settle for more when they know the other side is prepared to fight.
Today, Nordanyan Law represents injured workers and accident victims across all of California. Our team speaks English, Spanish, and Armenian, and we take pride in making the legal process accessible to every client regardless of background or language.
What Sets Us Apart
No Fee Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Direct Attorney Access
You speak directly with your attorney — not a paralegal, not a call center. Your case gets personal attention.
Bilingual Team
We serve clients in English, Spanish, and Armenian. Language should never be a barrier to justice.
Trial-Ready Preparation
Insurance companies know we prepare every case for trial. That leverage gets our clients better settlements.
Community Commitment
Headquartered in Van Nuys, we are deeply rooted in the San Fernando Valley community we serve.
Transparent Communication
We keep you informed at every stage. No surprises, no jargon — just honest updates about your case.
If you were hurt on the job, you probably have more questions than answers right now — and that is completely normal. Below we answer the questions injured workers ask us most about how our firm works and how to choose the right workers' compensation attorney, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Firm
What makes Nordanyan Law a strong workers' compensation firm?
Nordanyan Law is a Van Nuys workers' compensation and personal injury firm, founded in 2014, that has recovered more than $150 million for over 7,500 injured workers and their families.
A strong workers' comp firm is measured by more than a track record — it is measured by how well it stands with you. Our attorneys bring more than 30 years of combined experience, work on a contingency basis, and are trial-ready, so insurance companies know your claim is prepared to be fought for at every level, including before a judge.
Just as important, our office sits near the Van Nuys Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, and we serve clients in English, Spanish, and Armenian. You deserve to understand every step of your case in the language you are most comfortable speaking.
How do workers' compensation attorney fees work in California?
In California, workers' compensation attorney fees are set and approved by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB), and they typically range from about 10% to 15% of the benefits you are awarded.
This is very different from paying a lawyer by the hour. The fee is a percentage of your recovery, and under Labor Code section 4906 no fee is valid unless the WCAB reviews it and finds it reasonable, weighing the work your attorney did and the results obtained on your behalf.
Because the fee comes out of your award or settlement rather than out of your pocket up front, hiring a skilled attorney does not require money you do not have. That is by design — California law is meant to make quality legal help accessible to every injured worker.
What does “no fee unless we win” mean?
“No fee unless we win” means you pay no attorney fee unless we secure benefits or a settlement for you — there is no upfront cost and no hourly bill to worry about.
This contingency model exists to protect people who are already under financial strain from a work injury. You should never have to choose between paying rent and getting legal help, so our fee is tied entirely to the outcome of your case.
When your case does resolve, the attorney fee is a percentage that the WCAB reviews and approves, and it is drawn from your recovery. If we do not obtain benefits for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.
Do I really need a lawyer for a workers' compensation claim?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer for a California workers' compensation claim, but injured workers who are represented often navigate the system with far less stress and a clearer understanding of the benefits they are owed.
Workers' comp involves strict deadlines, medical evaluations, disability ratings, and an insurance company whose interests are not the same as yours. It is easy to unknowingly accept less than you are entitled to, or to miss a step that affects your benefits.
An attorney handles the paperwork, the hearings, and the back-and-forth with the insurer so you can focus on healing. If you are unsure whether you need representation, a consultation costs you nothing and can help you understand your options before you decide.
What areas and languages does Nordanyan Law serve?
Nordanyan Law represents injured workers throughout California from our office in Van Nuys, and we provide services in English, Spanish, and Armenian.
Being bilingual is not an afterthought for us — it is central to how we treat clients with respect. When you can explain what happened and ask questions in your own language, you understand your case better and feel more in control of it.
Our location near the Van Nuys Workers' Compensation Appeals Board keeps us close to the venue where many Southern California claims are heard, which helps us represent you efficiently when your case moves forward.
What is the difference between workers' compensation and a personal injury claim?
Workers' compensation covers injuries that happen on the job and generally does not require you to prove your employer was at fault, while a personal injury claim covers injuries caused by someone else's negligence and does require proving fault.
The trade-off matters. Because workers' comp is a no-fault system, it provides defined benefits such as medical treatment and disability payments, but it does not include compensation for pain and suffering the way a personal injury case can.
Sometimes a single accident involves both — for example, a work injury caused by a negligent third party. Because our firm handles both workers' compensation and personal injury, we can look at your situation as a whole and help you pursue every avenue available to you.
How much are temporary disability benefits while I recover?
In California, temporary disability benefits pay two-thirds of your average weekly wages while you are unable to work because of a job injury, up to a maximum weekly amount set each year by the state.
This benefit, established under Labor Code section 4653, is meant to replace part of the income you lose while you heal, so a work injury does not leave you without a paycheck during recovery.
The exact amount depends on your earnings and your date of injury, and there are annual minimums and maximums. If your payments seem too low or have stopped, that is worth reviewing with an attorney — errors in wage calculations are common and correctable.
Can I change my treating doctor in a workers' comp case?
Yes. If your employer uses a Medical Provider Network (MPN), you generally have the right to choose a different treating physician from within that network after your first visit.
You are not stuck with a doctor you do not trust. California's MPN rules are designed to give injured workers a choice of qualified providers, and the right doctor can make a meaningful difference in both your recovery and your disability rating.
The process for switching doctors can feel confusing, especially when the insurer controls the network. We routinely help clients understand their MPN, request a new physician, and make sure their medical care actually supports their claim.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in California?
In California, you generally have one year from the date of your injury to file a workers' compensation claim, under Labor Code section 5405.
There are important nuances. For injuries that develop over time, the clock may start when you knew, or should have known, that your condition was work-related, and separate rules can extend your rights if your condition worsens after benefits have been provided.
Because deadlines can be easy to miscalculate and hard to reverse once missed, it is wise to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later. Acting early protects your rights and gives your case the strongest possible foundation.
What can I expect when working with Nordanyan Law?
When you work with Nordanyan Law, you get direct access to your attorney — not just a case number and a call center — from your first consultation through the resolution of your case.
We know that behind every claim is a person worried about their health, their job, and their family's stability. Our approach is to explain things in plain language, keep you informed at each stage, and answer your questions honestly, even when the answer is not the one you were hoping for.
Because we are trial-ready and have handled thousands of cases, we prepare every claim as if it could go before a judge. That readiness protects you: insurers tend to treat a well-prepared, represented worker very differently, and it means we are ready to advocate for you no matter how your case unfolds.