McKinney Catastrophic Injuries Lawyer
Intelligent, Tenacious Representation in Catastrophic Injury Cases
A catastrophic injury is a defining event that will forever alter the course of a person's life. There is no guarantee that a person who suffers a catastrophic injury will live the same life he or she once lived before the injury. Following a catastrophic injury caused by another's negligent or reckless actions, the injured person and his or her loved ones must make many important decisions. Perhaps the most important decision is the choice of a personal injury attorney. For years, people across Texas and the United States have put their trust in Burress Injury Law.
A Personal Touch and Aggressive Approach
When you work with our law firm, you will work closely with both Jason K. Burress and his team. We find there is no substitute for providing personal attention to our clients. Because we invest so much time in every one of our clients, we are able to fully understand how their catastrophic injury has impacted their life. Oftentimes, we demonstrate these losses to the insurance companies in production-quality "Day in the Life" videos. This approach helped us earn a $4,785,000 recovery in a catastrophic motor vehicle crash. Our law firm handles every type of catastrophic injury, including:
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Disc herniations
Whether you or your loved one was injured in a car accident, truck wreck, explosion or other type of accident, we will be prepared to go the extra mile. We are particularly proud of how this approach served a client who came to us with a difficult-to-detect minor traumatic brain injury. The result for that client: Texas' seventh-largest verdict in 2015.
Helping You Recover the Damages You Need Now and in the Future
The medical and lost wage costs from a catastrophic injury can be staggering, not only in the present, but in the years to come. For instance, a spinal cord or brain injury will require significant medical attention for the rest of a person's life. Not only that, but working simply may not be possible.
Our lawyers understand what you are up against. When we represent someone with a catastrophic injury, we work with highly regarded experts to prove your incurred medical damages, lost wages as well as future medical lifecare plans and loss of wage-earning capacity. In addition to these economic damages, we place a special emphasis on building your noneconomic damage claims such as physical pain, physical impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish and disfigurement.
We take pride in the fact that we are trial lawyers. If trial is what it takes to achieve the fair result for our clients, we will be fully prepared to make a compelling presentation before a judge and jury.
Catastrophic Injury FAQs
Answer: A catastrophic injury is a severe and life-altering injury that results in long-term or permanent disability. In legal terms, it refers to injuries that significantly impact the victim’s ability to perform daily activities or work, leading to substantial financial, physical, and emotional burdens. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, leading to high medical expenses and loss of income.
Answer: Examples of catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries, which can result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, and personality changes. Spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis or loss of sensation and motor function. Severe burns can cause disfigurement, chronic pain, and emotional trauma. Amputations can result in permanent disability and require extensive rehabilitation. What these injuries all have in common is that they have long-lasting effects on the victim’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
Answer: Catastrophic injuries differ from other injury claims in their severity and their long-term impact on the victim’s life. These injuries can result in permanent disabilities, significant medical expenses, and ongoing care needs, setting them apart from more minor injuries. Catastrophic injury claims often involve complex legal and medical issues as well. Due to the substantial financial and emotional burdens associated with catastrophic injuries, these claims typically seek higher compensation to address the victim’s long-term needs and losses.
Answer: In Texas, liability for a catastrophic injury will depend on the circumstances surrounding the injury. Potential parties that may be held liable include individuals, businesses, government entities, and insurance companies. Liability can be based on negligence, product liability, premises liability, or other legal theories. For example, a negligent driver causing a car accident resulting in catastrophic injuries may be held liable for damages. Similarly, a manufacturer producing a defective product leading to a catastrophic injury could be held responsible.
Answer: Yes, you can sue for a catastrophic injury in Texas if it was caused by someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. Texas law allows people who have suffered catastrophic injuries to seek compensation through personal injury lawsuits. It is important to consult with a skilled personal injury attorney in Texas who can assess the merits of your case, navigate the legal process, and help you seek the compensation you deserve for damages.
Answer: It is crucial to file a claim for a catastrophic injury as soon as possible after the incident that caused the injury. In most cases, there is a statute of limitations, which is a time limit within which you must file a claim. In Texas, you typically have two years from the date of the incident to file and serve a lawsuit against a third party tortfeasor (responsible party). There are situations in which this time period can be short and the best practice is to retain a qualified personal injury attorney to represent your interests. For underinsured/uninsured motorist claims in Texas, you generally have four years to file and serve a lawsuit, but again, there are exceptions along with prerequisites to recovering from your own insurance company. The best practice is to engage a qualified personal injury attorney shortly after the incident occurs, which will allow your legal team to thoroughly investigate the incident, preserve necessary case to win and maximize the value of your claim, and help you obtain necessary medical treatment with no up-front cost while maximizing your medical damages model.
Answer: The value of a catastrophic injury case can vary widely depending on various factors, such as the severity of the injury, the extent of medical treatment needed, the impact on the victim’s quality of life, lost wages, and future medical expenses. In general, catastrophic injury cases tend to be worth a higher dollar amount, but the available insurance and the assets of the responsible parties are significantly important issues to consider.
Answer: The first thing the family of a catastrophic injury victim needs to do is retain a qualified personal injury firm to represent their interests while the victim can focus on healing. In addition to many other things in which a personal injury firm can help, they will be able to identify and obtain necessary evidence in a format that will be admissible in court. Such evidence may include medical records detailing the extent of the injury, lost wage documents, driving and criminal history, records of trucking companies and other commercial companies, photos, vehicle downloads, witness statements, engineering reports from crash reconstruction experts, medical life care plans, etc.
Answer: When seeking a catastrophic law firm, look for experience handling similar cases, a track record of successful outcomes, the amount of personal injury and wrongful death trial experience the attorneys have, whether they give you a sense that they will effectively handle the claim while demonstrating compassion, and the firm’s level of responsiveness. The law firm should demonstrate an effective case strategy and a commitment to advocating for your best interests. Effective communication skills, accessibility, and a willingness to explain the legal process clearly are also important qualities to consider. Additionally, consider the lawyer’s resources, such as access to medical experts and financial resources to support your case. Ultimately, choosing a lawyer you trust and feel comfortable working with is essential for navigating the challenges of a catastrophic injury claim.
Answer: Economic damages may include elements such as medical expenses, lost wages, and future loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages for physical ppain, mental anguish, physical impairment, loss of consortium and disfigurement. Additionally, punitive damages could be awarded if the injury resulted from gross negligence. To ensure you know the full scope of the compensation you may be eligible to receive, discuss the case with your attorney and heed their professional legal advice on how you should proceed when seeking damages.
Learn More About How We Can Help You
Based in McKinney, we represent clients across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and across Texas and the United States. Schedule a free initial consultation with us by calling 214-726-0016. We also encourage you to reach out to us online. You only pay us if we win.