Houston Catastrophic Injury Lawyer 

Filing a Catastrophic Injury Claim 

Any injury can change your life, but some injuries are so serious, they are considered catastrophic. These injuries typically include those that have significant, permanent effects, limiting the victim’s ability to return to a once-normal, pre-injury life. 

If you or someone you love was catastrophically injured in an accident or due to another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct, you could be entitled to financial compensation. It is important that you reach out to an experienced attorney who knows how to handle these types of personal injury claims, as there are many nuances and complexities inherent in catastrophic injury cases. 

At Payne Law Firm, we have been representing severely injured individuals and their loved ones for nearly 20 years. To date, our Houston catastrophic injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in compensation, helping our clients secure the financial resources they needed to heal and move forward with their lives. 

If you would like to discuss your case with a member of our team, please call (713) 999-4801 or contact us online and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Hablamos español.

Examples of Catastrophic Injuries 

There is no set definition of a “catastrophic injury.” However, as mentioned above, catastrophic injuries are generally classified as those that result in significant and/or permanent disfigurement, disability, or impairment. 

Some examples of common catastrophic injuries include:

• Amputation
• Brain injuries
• Burn injuries 
• Fractures/broken bones
• Hearing loss
• Internal organ damage
• Paralysis
• Scarring
• Soft tissue damage
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Vision loss/blindness

These and other catastrophic injuries have numerous negative impacts, affecting everything from the victim’s mobility and motor function to their ability to work and earn a living for themselves and their families. In very severe cases, victims may be entirely unable to care for themselves and may require constant, around-the-clock assistance. 

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries 

Catastrophic injuries can and do result from all types of accidents and traumatic events.

Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Car accidents 
• Falls 
• Motorcycle crashes 
• Large truck wrecks
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Sports and recreation accidents
• Work-related accidents
• Illness/disease
• Dog bites/attacks
• Defective products 
• Medical malpractice/negligence
• Chemical exposure 
• Bus/public transport accidents 
• Unsafe premises 

If you or your loved one suffered a catastrophic injury, and you believe someone else was to blame, you could have grounds for a lawsuit. In Texas, you are entitled to seek compensation from the at-fault party when their breach of the duty of care results in injury and/or losses. In other words, if someone else failed to act reasonably and, instead, acted negligently or wrongfully, and you were injured as a result, you could have a case. 

Reach out to Payne Law Firm today to learn more during a free, confidential consultation. We provide our legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe anything unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you.

What Makes Catastrophic Injury Cases Unique? 

Although similar to personal injury claims, there are several key differences that set catastrophic injury cases apart from standard claims. It is important that you work with an attorney who understands these nuances, as well as how to effectively advocate for your maximum recovery.

Some of the factors that make catastrophic injury cases unique include:

• Value: Catastrophic injury cases tend to be high in value due to the extensive treatment and ongoing care required. Additionally, victims often lose weeks, months, or even years of income due to disability, and many suffer immense physical and emotional pain and suffering. Because of their high value, insurance companies are even more interested in disputing and denying catastrophic injury claims than typical personal injury claims.
• Complexity: Most catastrophic injuries, such as brain and spinal cord injuries, are very complex in nature. This makes them difficult to treat and may mean that victims will require continuous future care. Often, proving the severity of an injury requires expert witness testimony from medical professionals, economists, and others.
• Impact: Catastrophic injuries do not just affect victims; they also have an immense impact on victims’ families and loved ones. Often, families incur significant financial losses related to the injury, such as the costs associated with taking time off work to care for the injured family member or hiring in-home assistance. In some cases, spouses may suffer loss of consortium and other unique damages not typical in standard personal injury cases.

Simply put, catastrophic injury cases are generally more likely to proceed to litigation and trial. Insurance companies are usually unwilling to settle high-value claims; they may offer a lowball settlement or deny your claim altogether. It is incredibly important that you work with an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer in Houston who can protect your rights and fight for your maximum recovery.

Contact us today at (713) 999-4801 for a free consultation. We are here to help.