CATASTROPHIC INJURY
Almost all personal injuries can be dangerous. However, some injuries have long-term, life-altering effects on victims. These severe injuries can have an impact on how you move, where you can travel, and how long you can engage in physical activity, if at all. If you find yourself in such a situation, consider speaking with a skilled attorney who can assist you in recovering your life.
Our Texas catastrophic injury attorneys at Egbuonu Law have decades of expertise representing injured plaintiffs who have suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of the negligence of others. If someone else caused an accident that resulted in a catastrophic injury, our attorneys can advise you on how to proceed with your case.
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can result from:
- Car accidents
- Slips and falls
- Workplace injuries
- defective products
- Animal attacks
- Recreational mishaps
- Medical professional errors
- Acts of violence
In most situations, the outcome can be linked back to a failure to follow simple, common-sense safety standards.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries in Texas
A catastrophic injury causes serious damage and prevents a person from performing any gainful work indefinitely. This also means that if you sustain a catastrophic injury, you may face serious deformities or a long-term disabling injury.
While several injuries can be classified as catastrophic, the following are the most common:
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Limb loss
- Hearing or vision loss
- Neck trauma
- Internal harm, such as organ damage or hemorrhage
- Poisoning from toxic chemicals
- Serious burns
- Death
Those who survive these injuries will almost certainly have to pay large medical bills and rehabilitative therapy costs for the rest of their life.
Who Can File A Catastrophic Injury Case In Texas?
Victims of major injuries caused by the negligence of someone else can bring a catastrophic injury claim. A caveat to this is that children in the state of Texas are not permitted to sue in personal injury lawsuits. This means that juveniles (and those who lack legal capacity, such as the criminally insane or mentally incompetent) can have “next friends” pursue cases on their behalf under Texas Rule 44.
Next Friends are defined in Texas as any of the following:
- Guardian or Parent
- Uncle or Aunt
- Grandparent
- Siblings of Cousins
- A close family member
Who Is Liable for Catastrophic Injuries in Texas?
When you suffer catastrophic injuries, you want to make sure that you not only seek compensation for your injuries but that you also hold all liable parties accountable for their conduct. Your lawyer will begin by asking many important questions to discover who is responsible for your injury.
- Who owed a duty of care to you at the time of the accident?
Someone who owes you a duty, such as the construction company in charge of building and safety precautions on a construction site, or the corporation that owns a building where you did business.
- How did the individual breach their duty of care to you?
In a car accident, for example, the liable entity may have breached their duty of care to you by failing to maintain their eyes on the road, drinking and driving, or disregarding traffic laws, including the speed limit.
- What caused your injuries as a result of the violation?
You have the right to compensation if someone else’s breach of their duty of care to you resulted in catastrophic injury. An attorney can assess your claim to discover how you were injured and how each entity involved in your accident may share liability.
Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Cases in Texas
You have two years in Texas to file a personal injury claim. The two-year period often begins on the date you are injured in an accident.
However, there are several reasons why you may have more than two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. The discovery doctrine is one common cause for an extended duration. The clock does not start ticking until you know or should know that you have a cause of action. Before the two-year timeframe begins, you must have information pointing to another person’s negligence.
Contact our Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Texas today.
At Egbuonu Law, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation caused by tragic injuries. We recognize the financial and emotional toll that these injuries have on your family, and we’re devoted to assisting you in obtaining the resources you require while you recover.