If you’re facing serious injuries in or Texas due to another person’s or corporation’s negligence, recklessness, dangerous actions, car or truck accident, or faulty products, it’s crucial to get legal representation from Dunham & Jones, the Trusted Texas Personal Injury Attorneys. Dunham & Jones can help you recover compensation for medical costs, income losses, pain, suffering, and other damages through a meticulously crafted personal injury or wrongful death claim in Texas. Call 888-222-9746 now for your free injury case review and discuss your case in detail.

When a major accident drastically alters the course of a victim’s life or results in severe harm, the Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law is ready to fight for justice and fair financial compensation. As experienced and qualified Texas Personal injury lawyers, we are committed to helping you hold those responsible for catastrophic injuries. Call us today at 888-222-9746 for a FREE confidential consultation for your catastrophic injury case in Texas.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is one that fundamentally alters a victim’s life. Such injuries can impact virtually every aspect of daily living, from the ability to earn a wage to personal enjoyment and self-esteem. Catastrophic injuries often result in the loss of essential bodily functions or permanent disability. Common examples include:

• Broken bones
• Severe burn injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Amputations or loss of limb
• Paralysis
• Brain damage
• Internal injuries or organ damage
• Hearing loss
• Eye loss or vision damage
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

A catastrophic injury claim is a personal injury lawsuit seeking financial damages from one or more parties responsible for causing the injury through a careless or wrongful act. A successful catastrophic injury claim can provide financial compensation to the victim and their family for related expenses, including ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.

Catastrophic Injury Cases We Handle

At Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, our team handles a wide range of catastrophic injury claims on behalf of clients throughout Texas. This includes:

• Car accidents
• Commercial truck accidents
• Bus accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Boating accidents
• Amusement park incidents
• Aviation incidents
• Birth injury claims
• Workplace accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Burn injuries
• Heavy machinery incidents
• Industrial accidents

This is not the only type of personal injury claims we handle. We strongly encourage you to reach out to our knowledgeable catastrophic injury lawyers for assistance with your specific case. We offer free consultations and are committed to providing you with the best advice for your claim moving forward.

Call Dunham & Jones at 888-222-9746 to schedule a free consultation with an injury attorney and learn how we can help you with your Catastrophic Injury case. Dunham & Jones was established in 1989 and is dedicated to helping it’s clients get the best results.

Potential Long-Term Effects of a Catastrophic Injury

A catastrophic injury can lead to significant long-term effects for individuals. Typically, such an injury profoundly impacts a person’s physical abilities. This can include complete or partial paralysis, difficulty with fine motor skills, trouble walking or speaking, and other impairments. The impairment and pain caused by a catastrophic injury can significantly affect an individual’s ability to work and hinder their enjoyment of hobbies or time with friends and family.

Beyond the physical effects, we must also consider the emotional and psychological trauma involved. When a person’s life is drastically altered, they may experience anxiety, depression, and other adverse mental health effects, significantly impacting their quality of life.

Finally, no discussion of the long-term effects of a catastrophic injury would be complete without addressing the financial implications. Financial stress is a significant burden for many, and this is compounded by the medical bills, lost wages, costs of in-home care, and necessary modifications to vehicles and homes that often accompany a catastrophic injury.

The Importance of Hiring an Attorney for a Catastrophic Injury Case

Insurance companies are more concerned with protecting their profits than maximizing clients’ payouts. This is why it is critical to hire an attorney if you have suffered a life-changing injury requiring extensive or ongoing medical care. Without legal representation, you risk being taken advantage of by insurers and settling for less than you deserve. A catastrophic injury lawyer in Texas can accurately determine the true value of your case and help you fight for maximum financial compensation. An experienced lawyer can employ aggressive legal strategies to achieve the results you need for a brighter future.

Texas Personal Injury Laws to Know

During a catastrophic injury claim in Texas, it is essential to understand and adhere to all applicable state laws to avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your ability to recover financial compensation. Here are three critical Texas personal injury laws to be aware of:

• Fault Car Accident Law: If you suffer a catastrophic injury in a car accident, Texas’s fault-based insurance law requires the at-fault driver or party to pay for the damages through their liability insurance. You must prove the other driver is at fault to recover these benefits. Our Texas car accident lawyer is prepared to put in the necessary work to build a successful case.
• Comparative Negligence: Texas’s comparative negligence law allows an injured accident victim to recover partial financial compensation even if they contributed to the accident, as long as their percentage of fault is less than 50 percent.
• Statute of Limitations: Texas has a statute of limitations for all catastrophic injury claims, which is two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you will most likely forfeit the right to recover financial compensation.

You don’t have to navigate these laws alone while dealing with a catastrophic injury. Our Texas injury lawyers can handle the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on healing.

Who is Liable for Your Catastrophic Injury?

There may be various parties who could be held liable for a catastrophic injury claim. Liability depends on the specific circumstances of each situation. There could be multiple parties responsible for a single incident or just one party held accountable. The ultimate goal is to show an insurance carrier or personal injury jury that the four elements of negligence apply:

• Duty of Care: A duty of care varies depending on the incident’s context. It must be examined whether the alleged negligent party owed a duty of care to the injury victim. For instance, anyone driving a vehicle owes a duty of care to others on the road, including operating the vehicle safely and following traffic laws. Similarly, property owners owe a duty of care to ensure their premises are safe and to warn visitors of any hazardous conditions.
• Breach of Duty: Once a duty of care is established, it must be shown that the alleged negligent party breached this duty. For example, drivers can breach their duty of care by failing to stop at a stop sign or by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Property owners can breach their duty by failing to address hazards such as spills that could lead to slip-and-fall accidents.
• Causation: It must be demonstrated that the breach of duty directly caused the injuries sustained by the plaintiff.
• Damages: The plaintiff must have incurred some form of monetary loss due to the breach of duty and resulting injuries. This can include medical expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

How Our Texas Catastrophic Injury Attorney Will Approach Your Case

Pursuing a catastrophic injury claim can be incredibly challenging. When you work with a qualified and experienced Texas catastrophic injury lawyer, you will have an advocate with the resources needed to stand up to the negligent party, insurance carriers, and any legal teams involved in the case. The role of a personal injury lawyer is multifaceted and begins with thoroughly investigating every aspect of the incident. Proving the four elements of negligence involves gathering extensive evidence to demonstrate what happened. These investigations can be expensive and time-consuming, but an experienced lawyer will efficiently handle the process. In addition to investigating the claim, an attorney will initiate communication with all parties involved, including the at-fault party, insurance carriers, and legal teams. The lawyer will relay a demand for a specific amount of compensation and handle any negotiations regarding the compensation amounts.

Finally, it may be necessary to take a catastrophic injury claim in Texas to trial. If this becomes necessary, an attorney will prepare the case to be heard by a jury. The process of getting a case to trial is complex and begins with the discovery process and continues with ongoing negotiations. An experienced personal injury attorney will manage every aspect of this on behalf of their client, ensuring a comprehensive and dedicated approach to securing the best possible outcome.

What is a Typical Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?

There is no set amount of compensation for catastrophic injury victims in Texas. Several factors are examined throughout the claim process, affecting the claim’s value. Some of the main factors that influence catastrophic injury claim values include:

• Severity of the Injury: The more severe the injury, the higher the potential compensation. This includes considering the extent of medical treatment required and the long-term impact on the victim’s health.
• Recovery Time: The length of time it takes for a person to recover also plays a significant role. Longer recovery periods often lead to higher compensation due to increased medical expenses and prolonged absence from work.
• Ability to Return to Work: If the injury affects a person’s ability to return to work or forces them to take a lower-paying job, this loss of earning potential will be factored into the compensation.
• Shared Fault: If there is any shared fault for the incident, this could reduce the amount of compensation a person receives. Texas follows a comparative negligence rule, where the compensation can be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to the victim.

These factors, among others, will be carefully evaluated to determine the fair value of a catastrophic injury claim. Each case is unique, and our experienced Texas injury lawyers will work diligently to ensure that all relevant factors are considered to maximize the compensation for you.

Economic, Non-Economic, & Punitive Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Case

Individuals may be able to recover various types of compensation in a catastrophic injury case, typically categorized into economic, non-economic, and sometimes punitive damages.

• Economic Damages: These are calculable expenses that individuals endure due to a catastrophic injury. They include:
  • Hospital bills
  • Doctor’s office visits
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Medical devices or prescription medications
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage expenses
• Non-Economic Damages: These types of losses are not as easily calculable as economic damages. They encompass more immeasurable expenses, such as:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of companionship
• Punitive Damages: In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. Under Texas law, these damages are reserved for situations where the conduct of the  responsible party was egregiously offensive or shocked the conscience of the court. Punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar  behavior in the future.

By pursuing these types of damages, our Texas injury lawyers strive to ensure that our clients receive comprehensive compensation that addresses both their tangible financial losses and the broader impact of their injuries on their lives.

Call Dunham & Jones today at 888-222-9746 to schedule a free consultation with a Texas Catastrophic Injury lawyer. Catastrophic Injury cases need an experienced injury law firm such as Dunham & Jones. Dunham & Jones was established in 1989 and is dedicated to helping it’s clients get the best results.

How Much Does a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Cost?

At our firm, we take these personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means clients do not pay any upfront or out-of-pocket fees related to the claim. Our team covers all the necessary expenses during the case. Individuals will pay an agreed-upon percentage from the final settlement or jury verdict after the case concludes. If we do not win, the client will not owe anything. This type of fee arrangement allows individuals to hold at-fault parties accountable, regardless of their financial circumstances. Often, clients receive significantly more compensation than they would have if they handled the claim on their own, even after factoring in the final contingency fee paid.

Texas Catastrophic Injury FAQs

Our Texas catastrophic injury lawyers understand that you have many questions after your accident. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to catastrophic injuries. If your question is not answered here, please call us at 888-222-9746. We are happy to discuss the details of your unique case during a free initial consultation.

What is the Timeline of a Typical Catastrophic Injury Case?

Each catastrophic or personal injury claim is unique, and there is no standard timeline for these types of cases. It will likely take your Texas catastrophic injury attorney several months to review your medical records, interview witnesses, and secure expert testimony. Since catastrophic injuries tend to be significant, these cases may take longer than other types of personal injury litigation. A particularly complex case that goes to trial can take a year or longer from start to finish. Your attorney will be able to provide a better estimate of how long your case may take, depending on your unique circumstances.

When is the Right Time to Hire a Catastrophic Injury Attorney?

As soon as you are recovered enough to contact a personal injury lawyer after your accident, we recommend doing so. Your attorney will immediately begin collecting evidence, interviewing eyewitnesses, and securing expert witness testimony for your case. If you wait too long to contact a lawyer, your recollections of the event may fade over time, or it may become more challenging to collect significant evidence. You also risk losing your opportunity to file a claim due to Texas’s statute of limitations. Prompt legal action helps ensure that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of securing the compensation you deserve.

How Long Do You Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Texas?

In most cases, the Texas statute of limitations requires plaintiffs to submit an injury claim within two years of the date their accident or injuries occurred. There are a limited number of exceptions to this rule. Speak to an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible following your accident. They will help you assess your legal options and move forward with a claim within the relevant statute of limitations if that’s the course of action you decide to pursue. Prompt consultation with a lawyer ensures that your rights are protected and increases the likelihood of a successful claim.

Contact Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation in Texas

If you or a loved one has recently suffered a severe or catastrophic injury due to a preventable accident in Texas, don’t hesitate to contact Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law for legal assistance. Our personal injury lawyers are here to listen to your story and immediately start working on your case. We provide compassionate and results-oriented legal services during this difficult time. Call us today at 888-222-9746 for a free case evaluation and take the first step towards securing the justice and compensation you deserve.